Controlling device for billiard-tables and the like.



L. BERNARD. CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR BILLIARD TABLES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8, 1914.

Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

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ATTORNEYS THE NORRIS PETFRS co PHOTOVLITHO \VASHING roN. u C

L. BERNARD. CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR BILLIARD TABLES AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 8, 1914.

1,125,640. Patented Jan.19,1915.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFTGE.

LEGPGLD BERNARD, OF NEVJ YGRK, N. ".i".

GGNTROLLING DEVICE FOR BZLLIAED-TABLES AND THE LIKE.

Application filed July 8, 1

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, LnoPoLn BERNARD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New York, h vs invented -a new and Improved Controlling Device for Billiard-Tables and the like, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact des ription.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved controlling device for billiard tables, pool tables and similar game apparatus, and arranged to automatically register the time the apparatus is used during the day or other given period, and also to register the number of games played during such period.

In order to accomplish the desired result, use is made of a registering device and a manually controlled movable means mounted on the apparatus and connected with the said registering (.evice to stop or release the same, the said means in one position preventing use of the apparatus and stopping of the registering device, and the said means in another position allowing the use of the apparatus and releasing the said registering device for the latter to register the time the apparatus is actually used by the players and the number of games played by the players.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is a plan view of the controlling device as applied to a pool table; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the controlling device as applied, the section being on the line (i-3 of Fig. l; i is a sec tional plan view of the same on the line M of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a similar view of the sameon the line 55 of Fig. 3.

The controlling de ice is shown applied to a pool table having the usual table A supported on a frame B and surrounded by rails C and pockets D. One of the rails C is provided on top and intermediate adjacent pockets D with a recess or seat C for the reception of the horizontal arm E of a barrier having a vertical shaft E extending downward through an opening C formed in the rail C. The lower portion of the shaft E extends into and is journaled in a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 19, E915.

Serial No. 849,720.

casing F secured to the apparatus preferably at the under side of the rail C provided with the recess C. The horizontal member E of the barrier is preferably formed of telescoping sections E and E", of vhich the section. E is provided 'lbll a down yyardly extending arm E slidin gly engaging the upper end E of the shaft in. lhe arm E turns with the shaft E and is for this purpose provided with an arm E projecting into a slot E formed in the upper end of the shaft E. By the arrangement described the arm E can be lifted out of the recess C and then swung across the table A to form an obstruction or barrier for the balls em ployed for playing a game, thus preventing use of the apparatus for playing purposes as long as the arm E extends across the table A. The arm E is made in telescoping sections so as to permit of extending the arm to reach across the table from one side rail to the other side rail, as plainly indicated in Fig. 1. When the arm E is to be folded the folding sections E and E are closed and the arm is then folded in the recess C to be completely out of the way of the players using the apparatus at the time. It is understoot that when the arm E is swung from the inactive position in the seat C across the table or back again then a turning motion is given to the shaft E.

Qn the shaft E within the casing F is secured an arm G adapted to engage a springpressed stop pin H mounted to slide in a suitable bearing H formed on one side of a clock I or a similar timepiece. The stop pin is normally held in an outermost position by its spring H but when the shaft is turned and the barrieris moved into position across the table it then the arm G presses the stop pin H inward against the tension of the spring H and in contact with a movable part of the timepiece 1, preferably the balance wheel 1 so as to stop the timepiece from running. lVhen the barrier E is returned to inactive position then the shaft E is turned in the opposite direction and the arm G releases the stop pin H to allow the latter to move outward by the action of its spring H and out of engagement with the balance wheel I to allow the timepiece to rotate. Thus during the time the barrier is in inactive position the timepiece T is run ning, and when the barrier is in active position the timepiece is stopped. From the foregoing it will be seen that during a day or other predetermined period the timepiece I operates the number of hours the game apparatus wasused by the players, and the attendant of said game apparatus will have to account to his employer for the number of hours during which the apparatus was used by the players.

in case the game apparatus is not used by the hour but according to the number of games played, then the barrier controls the game registering device arranged as follows: On the lower end of the shaft E is secured an arm J carrying a pawl J in mesh with a ratchet wheel J 2 secured on the upper end of a shaft K journaled in the casing F. On the shaft K is fastened a bevel gear wheel K in mesh with a bevel gear wheel K secured on a transverse shaft L journaled in the lower portion of the casing F. On the shaft L is fastened a toothed wheel N engaging a tape 0 mounted to travel over a pad P, of felt or other similar material, arranged in the bottom of the casing F. The tape 0 unwinds from a drum Q, journaled in the casing F, and the forward end of the tape is adapted to pass through a feed opening F arranged on the left side of the casing 1 as' plainly indicated in Fig. 8. The tape 0 is divided into equal parts separated by perforations and numbered consecutively, as indicated in Fig. 5. Now it will be noticed that when the barrier is swung into active position across the game apparatus then the pawl J turns the ratchet wheel J and consequently the shaft K which by the gear wheels K and K rotates the shaft L. The rotary motion of the shaft L causes the toothed wheel N to feed the tape 0 forward the distance of one of its parts so that the outermost part of the tape can be torn off by the attendant, who thus has a voucher for the game just played. When the barrier is swung back into folded inactive position the pawl J glides over the ratchet wheel J without turning the same and consequently the game registering device remains inactive. It is understood that after a game is played the attendant of the game apparatus swings the barrier into active position across the table as before explained, and when another game is to be started the barrier is returned to inactive position.

The casing F is provided with a door F having a lock, the key of which is in the possession of the proprietor to prevent the attendant from surreptitiously manipulating the timepiece I. When the door F is opened access is had to the timepiece I for winding up or setting the same at the beginning of the days work.

The controlling device shown and described is very simple and can be readily applied to billiard tables, pool tables and similar game apparatus as now generally constructed it only being necessary to provide the rail with the groove C and the opening O to allow attaching the controlling device to the apparatus.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. The combination with a billiard table having a recess in the top of one of its rails,

of a time registering device, a sliding and spring actuated stop pin adapted to engage a movable member of the registering device to stop the same, a shaft having an arm for engaging the stop pin, and a barrier arm having an angular member slidably connected with the shaft, said arm being adapted to lie in the recess of the rail of the table or to be swung transversely of the table.

2. The combination with a billiard table having a recess in one of its rails, of a time registering device, a movable spring pressed stop member adapted to engage a movable member of the registering device to stop the same, a shaft having an arm for engaging said stop members, and a barrier arm formed of telescoping members one of which is pro vided with an angular member operatively connected with the upper end of the shaft,

said barrier arm being adapted when folded to lie in the recess of the rail of the table and when extended to extend from one rail of the table to the other.

3. The combination with a billiard table having a recess in the top of one of its rails, of a time registering device, a movable spring pressed stop member adapted to engage a movable member of the registering device to stop the same, a shaft having a slot in its upper end and an arm intermediate of its ends for engaging the stop member of the registering device, and a barrier arm having an angular member slidably mounted in the slot of the said shaft.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LEOPOLD BERNARD.

Witnesses ANTON RANEY, Jos. Gno. RAUL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. 

